Plans for a 78-metre tall turbine at Nosterfield End in Haverhill were rejected by St Edmundsbury earlier this month, despite council planning officers recommending it for approval.

The application came from Saffron Walden-based James Sills, who had an application for a similar scheme near Chilton Street in Clare approved in May.

UKIP county councillor Julian Flood has since written to the chair of St Edmundsbury’s development control committee, Jim Thorndyke, calling for the committee to have a fresh look at the proposals for Clare in light of the Haverhill plans being refused.

In an email Mr Flood said: “The overwhelming decision to reject the Nosterfield End turbine leaves the earlier Chilton Street application under a considerable amount of doubt.

“The same objections apply in both cases, and it is my opinion that the same errors were made in both assessments.

“The benefits were overstated, the amenity damage was underestimated, loss of property value was not considered and the damage to wildlife study was sketchy.”

Speaking to the EADT, Mr Flood said a new report showed house prices fell by as much as 11% in areas near wind turbines, and the turbines only paid out the equivalent business rates of a village newsagent.

Mr Flood also branded campaigners’ victory against the plan at Nosterfield End “amazing”, adding: “This government and the previous government have set up the planning system to make it impossible to oppose them.”

A spokesman from Engena, the agent behind Mr Sills’ Nosterfield End application, said he was still considering whether to appeal St Edmundsbury’s decision.

County councillor Mary Evans, who fought against the plans in Clare, said: “It would be very nice to have a second bite of the cherry, but they got planning permission.

“Once the council has voted, they’ve voted and there’s nothing you can do.”